SOBRIETY

[Texas_Tone]

Had three glasses of wine last night, nice meal but the wine wasn’t worth it, kinda disappointed in myself but it is what it is, just got to get back to it, bought a case of Erik Ellingtons new NA, looking forward to trying that

[Benicio El Toro]

Had three glasses of wine last night, nice meal but the wine wasn’t worth it, kinda disappointed in myself but it is what it is, just got to get back to it, bought a case of Erik Ellingtons new NA, looking forward to trying that

Feel like if you enjoy wine it just adds another layer to sobriety. It has its own classification under alcohol making it more difficult. Idk but I do know I'm gonna try these Ellington beers and I'm not even a na fan

[Top-Heavy Hookjaw]

I’m finally in a place that I have control over my alcohol consumption. I’ve been able to go months without a drink and I’m now able to have the occasional Modelo or a glass of wine and it’s one and done. It took a couple years of trying and failing and beating myself up because I was taking an all or nothing approach. I still have friends who are in their 40’s and hang out in bars, I’m just not into it anymore and there’s other things I’d rather do. I guess it’s about establishing new patterns and over time it gets easier.

[ralf_]

would really like to drink a bottle of anything right now. hope this passes.

[Benicio El Toro]

would really like to drink a bottle of anything right now. hope this passes.

It will. Mos def. You might have a great time doing it but half way thru you might wish ya hadn't. Catch a flick. Get high and watch music videos if that works. Clean your bearings, you know they need it. Good for you for saying it out loud though.

[No-pants Pee Hands]

Been a while since posting almost made a year but had a few to many big life changes hit all at once, and trying to get back on track just hit day 6 without a drink. Have been enjoying some ice cream and new sodas along with N/As to take the edge off, while trying to finish the last season of Atlanta to curb the night life itch.

[Abyss1]

I don't miss this

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOirDmBkcNg/

yeah this the main thing keeping me on track, noticed how much money I save, and in general make better financial decisions when Im sober

[rawbertson.]

so far i am doing really well and the idea of drinking doesnt feel good. I dont feel like i really miss it. i estimate i have saved for sure $200-300 already which is really hype. has been about 2 weeks now.

but i am not back skating for another week still it looks like which sucks, but I have been playing a lot of 3DS though and the time has been flying by

[Texas_Tone]

would really like to drink a bottle of anything right now. hope this passes.

Hey man it will, its a never ending thing, but your mental fortitude is stronger than that bottle, get out do some jumping jacks, move around a little, make some art, get a disposable camera and go take pics, go for a bike ride, I was about 3 months or so in til the other day and I definitely messed up, and I’m sure I’ll mess up again, but I’m here willing to do the work and I feel like that’s half the battle, but just keep going my G, we are proud of you

[Abyss1]

so far i am doing really well and the idea of drinking doesnt feel good. I dont feel like i really miss it. i estimate i have saved for sure $200-300 already which is really hype. has been about 2 weeks now.

but i am not back skating for another week still it looks like which sucks, but I have been playing a lot of 3DS though and the time has been flying by

When I was drinking daily monthly expense for beer was at least $350/month (craft- IPA's aint cheep)...during covid I was also getting into Japanese whiskey every month and that expense was another $150-$200/month 

[Sleazy]

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so far i am doing really well and the idea of drinking doesnt feel good. I dont feel like i really miss it. i estimate i have saved for sure $200-300 already which is really hype. has been about 2 weeks now.

but i am not back skating for another week still it looks like which sucks, but I have been playing a lot of 3DS though and the time has been flying by

[close]

When I was drinking daily monthly expense for beer was at least $350/month (craft- IPA's aint cheep)...during covid I was also getting into Japanese whiskey every month and that expense was another $150-$200/month

way to go @rawbertson.

my goto whisky was 75 a bottle. i would frequently spend $700 at the liquor store just buying random expensive bottles. my wine was getting up to 30 bucks for week night bottles and i still have a bunch of 100 cali cabs.

i sold my spirits collection for 350 to this entrepreneur i know who could easily spend a good bit if he wanted. i had a several 300+ bottles that were half empty and there was 35+ bottles total. lesson leared, there's no resale on this stuff once you open it. a 1/2 empty bottle of 350 spirits is probably work 40 bucks.

[rawbertson.]

woke up feeling really good today, brought my board with me and just going to take it super easy skating. havent been off the board for this long in like 5 years or so.

i smelled beer the other day and it smelled nasty

i feel like i am letting go a shitty part of my life in a way. i am really enjoying having shit like a flavored soda water or powerade so much. just drinking insane amounts of water every day. i am finding i am starving all the time too. i ate a popeyes mini chicken sandwich at like 3 pm and still ate tons of spaghetti for dinner. i guess i have to make back up the weight i lost from the surgery.

[Sleazy]

woke up feeling really good today, brought my board with me and just going to take it super easy skating. havent been off the board for this long in like 5 years or so.

i smelled beer the other day and it smelled nasty

i feel like i am letting go a shitty part of my life in a way. i am really enjoying having shit like a flavored soda water or powerade so much. just drinking insane amounts of water every day. i am finding i am starving all the time too. i ate a popeyes mini chicken sandwich at like 3 pm and still ate tons of spaghetti for dinner. i guess i have to make back up the weight i lost from the surgery.

this is great @rawbertson.

for me the alertness of sobriety turbo charged with some coffee after a coffee delay is my new high. if i feel tired now i get so annoyed but unlike before where i'd make it worse by having a drink i do what i can to make my day less annoying, watch a movie, etc... and make sure i have a killer day the next day.

if you look above you'll see i was sharing my current drink selection. i've really gotten into ice cold filtered water in glass bottles like they do at restaurants. you can get them on amazon for like 20 bucks.

Note: if you haven't tried coffee delay, i highly recommend it

[rawbertson.]

Expand Quote

woke up feeling really good today, brought my board with me and just going to take it super easy skating. havent been off the board for this long in like 5 years or so.

i smelled beer the other day and it smelled nasty

i feel like i am letting go a shitty part of my life in a way. i am really enjoying having shit like a flavored soda water or powerade so much. just drinking insane amounts of water every day. i am finding i am starving all the time too. i ate a popeyes mini chicken sandwich at like 3 pm and still ate tons of spaghetti for dinner. i guess i have to make back up the weight i lost from the surgery.

[close]

this is great @rawbertson.

for me the alertness of sobriety turbo charged with some coffee after a coffee delay is my new high. if i feel tired now i get so annoyed but unlike before where i'd make it worse by having a drink i do what i can to make my day less annoying, watch a movie, etc... and make sure i have a killer day the next day.

if you look above you'll see i was sharing my current drink selection. i've really gotten into ice cold filtered water in glass bottles like they do at restaurants. you can get them on amazon for like 20 bucks.

Note: if you haven't tried coffee delay, i highly recommend it

Somehow my body has told me naturally to do this. I never really feel like having a coffee the first thing in the morning anymore, i usually wait til I am at work. My wife is unable to get past the first 5 minutes of her morning without having a coffee lol. It does feel way better, I just cant do it anymore first thing. I think all the years of doing bad stuff finally my body is just starting to tell me to stop or maybe i am just not so frigged up now i am finally able to listen to it properly.

those cold filtered waters sound so good. I am trying to save money so I am just gonna buy like 2x cases of Bubly and a case of powerade at lunch i think from the wholesale place. I remember in Germany everyone drank soda water like all day, my company just had cases and cases of it. i thought it was so strange, but I totally get it now.

[ralf_]

thanks everybody for the kind words!
freaking 33 months in.. i will stay strong. just sometimes seems like too much work making it through the day. y'all right, i just need to stay occupied. keep them hands busy

[Sleazy]

thanks everybody for the kind words!
freaking 33 months in.. i will stay strong. just sometimes seems like too much work making it through the day. y'all right, i just need to stay occupied. keep them hands busy

You’re way ahead of me, way to go

Is it work stress making it hard?

[FrAnKenFrEd]

I didn't drink for all of 2024. Since April I have been drinking about 2 to 4 beers a month and let me tell you its not that exciting. You dudes are not missing anything special. In fact even with the minimal amount I drink I notice a difference in sleep quality and the creeping aches and pains. As a 50 year old skateboarder I'd like to keep skateboarding and I think cutting way back on alcohol is the no1 thing I did to improve my well-being. I am going to take 2026 off completely and go from there.

Keep it up, all.

[ralf_]

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thanks everybody for the kind words!
freaking 33 months in.. i will stay strong. just sometimes seems like too much work making it through the day. y'all right, i just need to stay occupied. keep them hands busy

[close]

You’re way ahead of me, way to go

Is it work stress making it hard?

yeah, work stress, plus the pressure i put on myself with the other stuff.
just wish to escape this all for a moment, make the sadness and pain go away.
now i work on my cabin every other day and that works, but its also putting pressure on in a different way.
just gotta bite my teeth, eh?

[rawbertson.]

I am finding I am absolutely starving still every day
I am eating a lot but not really gaining weight i dont think. i guess it will take awhile.
I think I was intaking a lot of calories with all the beer maybe and my body is still looking for it. Trying to eat healthy is really hard still. I am trying my best but yesterday i had a lot of garbage. I had a lot of free time yesterday and i normally would have piled out hard. drank like 4 soda waters, it is a good feeling like having a beer on a hot day and you dont feel like garbage after you chug one.

still gonna need probably 2 more weeks realistically before i can skate properly again i think. it just feels weird still inside, a lot has to heal. doesnt feel good to be jumping around and stuff. i am probably not gonna even push around again until monday.i feel like i am able to focus more on stuff though. I have had a hard time completing Bravely Default cause it is a hard game and i was just all over the place mentally but lately i have been just crushing it and i will wrap that up and start Bravely 2nd.

[Texas_Tone]

Got my case of Erik Ellingtons new NA, it’s a more bready tasting bud imo, really easy to crush and looks pretty badass

[Sleazy]

I am finding I am absolutely starving still every day
I am eating a lot but not really gaining weight i dont think. i guess it will take awhile.
I think I was intaking a lot of calories with all the beer maybe and my body is still looking for it. Trying to eat healthy is really hard still. I am trying my best but yesterday i had a lot of garbage. I had a lot of free time yesterday and i normally would have piled out hard. drank like 4 soda waters, it is a good feeling like having a beer on a hot day and you dont feel like garbage after you chug one.

still gonna need probably 2 more weeks realistically before i can skate properly again i think. it just feels weird still inside, a lot has to heal. doesnt feel good to be jumping around and stuff. i am probably not gonna even push around again until monday.i feel like i am able to focus more on stuff though. I have had a hard time completing Bravely Default cause it is a hard game and i was just all over the place mentally but lately i have been just crushing it and i will wrap that up and start Bravely 2nd.

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

thanks everybody for the kind words!
freaking 33 months in.. i will stay strong. just sometimes seems like too much work making it through the day. y'all right, i just need to stay occupied. keep them hands busy

[close]

You’re way ahead of me, way to go

Is it work stress making it hard?

[close]

yeah, work stress, plus the pressure i put on myself with the other stuff.
just wish to escape this all for a moment, make the sadness and pain go away.
now i work on my cabin every other day and that works, but its also putting pressure on in a different way.
just gotta bite my teeth, eh?

that sounds tough. i've gotten into walking my dogs a bit. i had some stressful family stuff recently that was really getting too me and i would just take my dogs on a long ass walk and put on a podcast or whatever and kind of talk to myself a bit and process thing. work stress for me mostly makes me tired and its kind of the same for me. walks. lately i've been mixing in some doom dark ages. that game is so intense that it's like skating, i can't really focus on anything else while i'm playing.

I am finding I am absolutely starving still every day
I am eating a lot but not really gaining weight i dont think. i guess it will take awhile.
I think I was intaking a lot of calories with all the beer maybe and my body is still looking for it. Trying to eat healthy is really hard still. I am trying my best but yesterday i had a lot of garbage. I had a lot of free time yesterday and i normally would have piled out hard. drank like 4 soda waters, it is a good feeling like having a beer on a hot day and you dont feel like garbage after you chug one.

still gonna need probably 2 more weeks realistically before i can skate properly again i think. it just feels weird still inside, a lot has to heal. doesnt feel good to be jumping around and stuff. i am probably not gonna even push around again until monday.i feel like i am able to focus more on stuff though. I have had a hard time completing Bravely Default cause it is a hard game and i was just all over the place mentally but lately i have been just crushing it and i will wrap that up and start Bravely 2nd.

so i lost 15 lbs and stopped working out and diet went to shits. my diet has continued to be bad and i eat way more sweets, i'll drink a mexican coke sometime if i'm tired late in the day but i usually think about how back in the day it would have been an IPA and 4 shots of whisky via 2 home pours, then next day i feel like shit, don't work out and it repeats and compounds. something about alcohol calories hits different IMHO or maybe it's the compounding of not getting rested and getting stuck in a cycle. i do know that i'm running the weakest fitness routine i've run in 20 years, i'm feeling and looking better than i have in probably 8 years. i've just started getting more consistent with workouts recently after slacking for over a year but they are way more mellow than they used to be. i used to do orange theory 4-5 times a week, set PRs for myself, get top 5 in my age for my area, things like that. now i do 30 mins of resistence and my shirt barely gets sweaty. i do walk a lot now and i walk at least 12k steps a day. i'm just feeling better, less bloated, etc... when i see people i haven't seen in a while they all say i look different and better and ask what i've been doing.

[rawbertson.]

i think i am going to walk a bit today because i am probably going to be off skating a few more weeks from the looks of it

[Gland Dongzig]

I finally feel comfortable enough to tell a bit more of my story on here. After 8 months of sobriety amidst a kind of a self-cleansing process I made the decision to go have drinks with some a few friends from work. I ended up doing some shots and having a few beers, I don't typically drink hard alcohol so I was absolutely shit-faced within an hour and a half. At that point I decided it would be best to get out of the bar as I felt very uncomfortable with how drunk I was and was kind of embarrassed for myself. I proceeded out to the parking lot and it didn't take long for me to realize there was no possible way that I could drive. I started my vehicle to get some AC going in hopes of laying there for a while in my truck and sleeping it off. I woke up an hour later to five Sheriff's surrounding my vehicle and was then arrested and spent four days in jail before I was bonded out. That was 3 months ago and I have a few more months of Court related things..probation  an alcohol ankle monitor and all sorts of other things that are costing me a ton of money which I don't have. I had a great job at the time and lost that due to the charges and have truly been humbled by this entire experience in every way. I have had to do a lot of work on myself lately and have come a long way..I have learned a lot of lessons throughout all this, and most of all I am very thankful to have some amazing people in my corner to help me through these times so that I can use them to continue to progress, instead of falling into depression or just constantly being angry at this whole situation. Thankfully the charges will completely be dropped and permanently go away after 6 months when my probation is served in my alcohol ankle monitor will then be taken off,  I will then have a clean record which is absolutely amazing. In my eyes I made the right decision that day, but I believe this had to happen to teach me that alcohol is not meant for me. Sorry for the long rant.. but through this account and another one that I had for many years before this one I have made a lot of friends on here and to be honest I don't really get much into skateboarding anymore these days and that has caused me to hop on here less and less..so if I don't post on here again I wanted to let my friends on here know that I am okay in fact I'm better than okay.. I'm doing the best I have in a long time all things considered. I wish all of my friends on here well..Keep ripping.
 🤙Shalom.

[Binomial Nomenclature]

Got my case of Erik Ellingtons new NA, it’s a more bready tasting bud imo, really easy to crush and looks pretty badass

Damn, can we get these in Canada?

[ham_mah]

Hi y'all and thanks for all the shared experiences, highly relatable! This thread has been a major motivation and support for my decision to ditch drinking.

I've been consuming alcohol in accelerating pace since teenage, for good 15+ years now and also been aware of how much it messes up my life or at least makes everything harder. Ofc there's been good times and a many things would've never even happened without a the booze boost, both in good and bad.

Have had dry weeks here and there and longest pause was 3 months in total, however, for the wrong reasons. I've known for long that it's a problem and that I should do something about it, but guess I finally reached the point where I can't anymore give myself any valid argument why to continue drinking.

Ok enough blabber. Just wanted to bump this thread and write/say something about this, guess to make it more real. Haven't really talked to my s.o, family nor buddies about the decision. One week down yesterday and counting.

Congrats to everyone for changing or attempting to change their lives for better, keep on the good work!

[pugmaster]

I finally feel comfortable enough to tell a bit more of my story on here. After 8 months of sobriety amidst a kind of a self-cleansing process I made the decision to go have drinks with some a few friends from work. I ended up doing some shots and having a few beers, I don't typically drink hard alcohol so I was absolutely shit-faced within an hour and a half. At that point I decided it would be best to get out of the bar as I felt very uncomfortable with how drunk I was and was kind of embarrassed for myself. I proceeded out to the parking lot and it didn't take long for me to realize there was no possible way that I could drive. I started my vehicle to get some AC going in hopes of laying there for a while in my truck and sleeping it off. I woke up an hour later to five Sheriff's surrounding my vehicle and was then arrested and spent four days in jail before I was bonded out. That was 3 months ago and I have a few more months of Court related things..probation  an alcohol ankle monitor and all sorts of other things that are costing me a ton of money which I don't have. I had a great job at the time and lost that due to the charges and have truly been humbled by this entire experience in every way. I have had to do a lot of work on myself lately and have come a long way..I have learned a lot of lessons throughout all this, and most of all I am very thankful to have some amazing people in my corner to help me through these times so that I can use them to continue to progress, instead of falling into depression or just constantly being angry at this whole situation. Thankfully the charges will completely be dropped and permanently go away after 6 months when my probation is served in my alcohol ankle monitor will then be taken off,  I will then have a clean record which is absolutely amazing. In my eyes I made the right decision that day, but I believe this had to happen to teach me that alcohol is not meant for me. Sorry for the long rant.. but through this account and another one that I had for many years before this one I have made a lot of friends on here and to be honest I don't really get much into skateboarding anymore these days and that has caused me to hop on here less and less..so if I don't post on here again I wanted to let my friends on here know that I am okay in fact I'm better than okay.. I'm doing the best I have in a long time all things considered. I wish all of my friends on here well..Keep ripping.
 🤙Shalom.

That sounds like a great outcome considering the alternatives. Glad you are safe and in a good headspace. That is worth more than anything.

[Sleazy]

Hi y'all and thanks for all the shared experiences, highly relatable! This thread has been a major motivation and support for my decision to ditch drinking.

I've been consuming alcohol in accelerating pace since teenage, for good 15+ years now and also been aware of how much it messes up my life or at least makes everything harder. Ofc there's been good times and a many things would've never even happened without a the booze boost, both in good and bad.

Have had dry weeks here and there and longest pause was 3 months in total, however, for the wrong reasons. I've known for long that it's a problem and that I should do something about it, but guess I finally reached the point where I can't anymore give myself any valid argument why to continue drinking.

Ok enough blabber. Just wanted to bump this thread and write/say something about this, guess to make it more real. Haven't really talked to my s.o, family nor buddies about the decision. One week down yesterday and counting.

Congrats to everyone for changing or attempting to change their lives for better, keep on the good work!

first week was so hard for me, best of luck and looking forward to your updates

[Monolithic Flick]

Great to read everyone's stories.  I went a good while and then went back into a 20 days off, hang out with a friend then there goes the streak.  Never wasted because that's never an issue for me.  But as I get even older I realize alcohol just doesn't do anything positive for me.  At all.  My sleep gets wrecked for two days from one night of having 2-3 pints.  I feel like crap and get nothing done.  Just isn't worth it.

I'm also 90 plus days off of cannabis.  Just another thing that doesn't do me any good really.  I love sleep now more than anything.  First few weeks off of cannabis I started having nightmares.  My non-scientific theory is my dopamine receptors were resetting.  Now sleep is awesome and dreams are generally pleasant. 

I do enjoy NA beers at home.  I think in the long run I'll quit those as well.  They're just as expensive as the 'regular' beer so not much in savings there.  Although the ones I get are lower in calories.  I'm a fan of Untitled Art's NA when I want one.  And there's a bar here that actually has it on tap so I can go out with friends and psychologically feel like I'm having one with them. Have also tried NA wine and gone to a 'bar' that served NA mocktails.  I don't really like cocktails in general but it was nice to be with a group of  sober folks even if it was hippy dippy.

Hang strong every one.  For those of you who really struggle, please know its worth it.  I have a brother who I thought could never stick to sobriety and he has been alcohol free for 500 plus days now.  And seriously like magic every other aspect of his life improved.  New job, bigger raises, e.t.c.  And the health benefits of course.  Stay with it, crew.

[Sleazy]

Great to read everyone's stories.  I went a good while and then went back into a 20 days off, hang out with a friend then there goes the streak.  Never wasted because that's never an issue for me.  But as I get even older I realize alcohol just doesn't do anything positive for me.  At all.  My sleep gets wrecked for two days from one night of having 2-3 pints.  I feel like crap and get nothing done.  Just isn't worth it.

I'm also 90 plus days off of cannabis.  Just another thing that doesn't do me any good really.  I love sleep now more than anything.  First few weeks off of cannabis I started having nightmares.  My non-scientific theory is my dopamine receptors were resetting.  Now sleep is awesome and dreams are generally pleasant. 

I do enjoy NA beers at home.  I think in the long run I'll quit those as well.  They're just as expensive as the 'regular' beer so not much in savings there.  Although the ones I get are lower in calories.  I'm a fan of Untitled Art's NA when I want one.  And there's a bar here that actually has it on tap so I can go out with friends and psychologically feel like I'm having one with them. Have also tried NA wine and gone to a 'bar' that served NA mocktails.  I don't really like cocktails in general but it was nice to be with a group of  sober folks even if it was hippy dippy.

Hang strong every one.  For those of you who really struggle, please know its worth it.  I have a brother who I thought could never stick to sobriety and he has been alcohol free for 500 plus days now.  And seriously like magic every other aspect of his life improved.  New job, bigger raises, e.t.c.  And the health benefits of course.  Stay with it, crew.

i really like what you said about 2 beers = 2 shit days of sleep. this is exactly why i quit. if you still drink it's always on your mind. it's like a second sex drive and then i end up thinking about it all week, drinking one weekend and then my weeks are still shit on sleep.

canibus is no joke and like your share there. that stuff was making me schitzo, anti-social and i think is highly addictive and you are always a little foggy.

[Monolithic Flick]

Thanks for the kindness.  Yeah the 'always foggy' thing is what got me.  I was mainly a weekend only and sometimes middle of the week guy with cannabis. but it was starting to get more frequent.  what I noticed before i quit was the last few times i was high it was fun at first and then i wanted to 'not be high.'     I have also noticed that I now actually laugh more then I did when i was a regular user.  Naturally laugh more.  So I think its those dopamine receptors again, but I have no real science on that.

I know a lot of people use cannabis to help get over alcohol addiction so I'm definitely not bagging on it.  My brother did that for sure.  And it was still better than all the bad effects of drinking.  Just not for me at this phase of life.